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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

Queen’s Sudan (4576 Pte. A. Arrowsmith. 2/Rif: Bde:);
QSA (1) Defence of Ladysmith (4576 Pte. A. Arrowsmith. Rifle Brigade);
KSA (2) (4576 Pte. A. Arrowsmith. Rifle Brigade.);
Khedive’s Sudan (1) Khartoum

Alfred Arrowsmith was born in Galborne, Lancashire, in 1874 and attested for the Rifle Brigade at Warrington on 9 September 1896, having previously served in the 3rd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. He served with the 2nd Battalion in Egypt and the Sudan from 12 July to 20 September 1898; in Crete during the occupation of that island from 21 September 1898 to 1 October 1899; and then in South Africa during the Boer War from 2 October 1899 to 20 June 1900, and again from 3 August 1901 to 29 October 1902. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 9 September 1903, and was discharged on 8 September 1908.

Picture courtesy of Spink

BSACM Rhodesia 1896 (0) (1204 Pte. H. Reeder 4/Rif...);
QSA (5) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (1204 Pte. H. Reeder. Rifle Brigade.);
KSA (2) (1204 Pte. H. Reeder. Rifle Brigade.), obverses heavily polished

Spink say approximately 30 BSAC Medals issued to the 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who formed No. 4 Section of the Rifle Company, Mounted Infantry Battalion in Rhodesia. At least four of the groups which include this Medal are known to exist in the Regimental Museum, including that to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir A. V. Jenner, Bt, CMG, DSO.

Horace John Reeder was born at Shoreditch on 16 September 1872 and went into Shap Street School in August 1880. A bootmaker by trade, he joined the Rifle Brigade on 29 April 1891, at that time having been serving in the 5th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

He served in South Africa from 2 May 1896-22 June 1897 (Medal without clasp) and thence from 28 October 1899-9 September 1902 during the Boer War. In that latter campaign Reeder served with the Mounted Infantry.

He died in June 1948.

Pictures courtesy of C&T Auctions

QSA (4) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (343 PTE E SLATTER RIFLE BDE:);
KSA (2) (343 PTE E SLATTER RIFLE BRIGADE)

Together with a South Africa 1900 gift tin, the base of the tin lightly engraved in a crude manner, “No.343 PTE ERNEST SLATTER, RIFLE BRIGADE K**** HILL, RECEIVED AT COLENSO, FEBRUARY 19TH 1900, NATAL”, part of inscription not legible, marked as ****.

21-year-old Ernest Slatter from Steventon in Berkshire attested for the Rifle Brigade in London on 12th November 1889. He saw service in East India, Hong Kong and Singapore before being transferred to the Reserve on 27th December 1897. Recalled for service on 13th November 1899 he served in South Africa for 2 years and 250 days before his discharge on 20th August 1902.

C&T say he is confirmed on the medal rolls for the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade and was awarded the Queens medal with these 4 clasps and the Kings medal with 2 clasps.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (1340 Pte. J. Pizey, Rifle Brigade.);
[ KSA (2) ]

J. Pizey served during the Boer War with the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own), and was taken Prisoner of War on 26 December 1900 at Groot Vlei. Detailed to a ‘farm clearing’ expedition led by Lieutenant-Colonel A. Colville, his small column consisting of six companies of the 1st Rifle Brigade, four guns of the 63rd Battery, R.F.A., and one squadron of the 13th Hussars, was soon engaged and enveloped by a superior enemy force about four hundred and fifty strong. According to the Rifle Brigade Chronicle: ‘The total losses during the day were sixty-seven; “rather a heavy bill for some mealies,” as someone remarked.’

He was released on 30 December 1900.

QSA (3) listed on WO100/210p58. OFS on WO100/210p123. KSA WO100/348p71

Picture courtesy of Spink

MC GV;
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (9611 Clr.Serjt. J. Small. Rifle Bde.);
KSA (2) (9611 Qr:-Mr: Sjt: J. Small. Rifle Brigade.);
British War and Victory Medals with MID (Q.M. & Capt. J. Small);
Army LS&GC Ed VII (9611 Q.M.Sjt: J. Small. Rifle Bde.).

MC London Gazette 3 June 1918.

James Small was born at Aston Manor, Warwickshire on 3 April 1865 and was a watchmaker when he enlisted in the Rifle Brigade on 4 September 1888. He saw a great deal of service and was promoted to Corporal in 1890 and Sergeant in 1895 while stationed in Hong Kong. Extending his service in the colours for a further twelve years he served in Singapore for several years before returning to Britain.

Posted to South Africa with the 1st Battalion during the Boer War with the rank of Colour-Serjeant he was Mentioned in Lord Robert's final despatches in 1901 (London Gazette 10 September 1901 refers). Remaining with the Regiment after the war he was largely stationed at home but did see service in Malta briefly, being awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in 1908.

Discharged to pension in 1912 he settled in Bristol but soon returned to the colours for service during the Great War joining the Gloucestershire Regiment on 26 April 1915 as Lieutenant & Quartermaster. Entering the war on 30 January 1916 he was posted to the 35th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps with the rank of Captain. Having taken his M.C., Small was demobilised on 26 August 1919.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (309 Pte. A. Nice, Rifle Brigade);
KSA (2) (309 Pte. A. Nice. Rifle Brigade)

Albert Nice served during the Great War at home with the 15th Battalion, Royal Defence Corps, from 22 May 1915 to 4 April 1918.

Sold with an original award certificate for a Silver War Badge (No. 18488); a Rifle Brigade cap badge; and a small portrait photograph of the recipient in later life.